Iowa State 42, Kansas State 38: What we learned from Saturday night's thriller

Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime.(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)Buy Photo

Iowa State finally did it, conquering its Kansas State demons and beating the pesky Wildcats for the first time since 2007 with a come-from-behind 42-38 victory Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.

The win ends a decade of heartbreak and agonizing losses that resulted in 10-straight wins for the Wildcats.

Iowa State erased a 17-point deficit in the third quarter with an unforgettable and frantic fourth-quarter finish. It started when Sam Seonbuchner caught a 3-yard touchdown pass to cut the Wildcats' lead to 38-28.

On Kansas State's following possession, Willie Harvey forced a fumble that was returned 21 yards for a touchdown to bring the Cyclones within 38-35.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell watches his team play during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Brock Purdy (15) talks to his teammates on the sideline during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass in the end zone to make the score 6-0 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Brock Purdy (15) and Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) celebrate their pass completion for a touchdown making the score 6-0 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Kansas State's Justin Silmon runs in for a touchdown to make the score 6-7 ISU during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) catches a pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) dives onto a loose ball for a touchdown to make the score 13-7 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Landen Akers (82) looks up as Kansas States Kevion McGee intercepts a pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Mike Rose (23) catches the ball after Iowa State's Willie Harvey (2) hit Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Rose ran the ball in for a touchdown to put the Cyclones up 38-35 and Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Mike Rose (23) catches the ball after Iowa State's Willie Harvey (2) hit Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Rose ran the ball in for a touchdown to put the Cyclones up 38-35 and Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Mike Rose (23) celebrates after running back an interception to make the score 38-35 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) can't reach a pass during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell argues a call during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Landen Akers (82) looks back at a pass he couldn't come up with as Kansas State's Kevion McGee pulls it in during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Kansas State's Kevion McGee pulls in an interception during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Kansas State takes a 21-14 lead into halftime. Brian Powers/The Register

Kansas State's Isaiah Zuber runs in for a touchdown to put the Wildcats up 37-21 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Sam Seonbuchner (47) runs in for a touchdown to make the score 38-28 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Sam Seonbuchner (47) is lifted by Iowa State's Dylan Soehner (89) after scoring to make the score 28-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Matthew Eaton (23) can't some up with a pass that is later called for pass interference during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Matthew Eaton (23) can't some up with a pass that is later called for pass interference during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) rushes for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's David Montgomery (32) celebrates with Iowa State's Collin Olson (63) after rushing for a touchdown to make the score 41-38 during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Kyle Kempt (17) enters the game on the last drive to down the ball and end the game during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Kyle Kempt (17) and Iowa State's Hakeem Butler (18) hug after Kempt came in to down the ball and end the game during their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Iowa State would go on to win 42-38. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State's Brock Purdy (15) celebrates the 42-38 win over Kansas State with his teammates after their football game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Ames. Brian Powers/The Register

Iowa State takes advantage of opportunities

There was a lot on the line for Iowa State on Saturday. Nine wins are still in play for the Cyclones, who have accomplished the feat just twice in school history. Their six Big 12 Conference wins are now a school record. And Iowa State's 6-3 record in the Big 12 puts them in a tie for third place.

Defense struggles, but delivers in the end

Iowa State's defense isn't what it used to be. A once bright spot for the Cyclones earlier this season, the unit has started slowing down.

It struggled against Baylor, had issues at Texas and was a problem again Saturday, surrendering 428 yards of total offense to the Wildcats. The biggest problem was the defense's instability to get stops and prevent long, draining drives that allowed Kansas State to dictate the pace of the game.

But the good news is that they delivered when it mattered most, grabbing the key turnover in the fourth quarter and getting a big stand after the go-ahead touchdown.

Iowa State had trouble in the margins

The margin of error is always small when you're playing Kansas State. And Iowa State had some costly miscues.

Connor Assalley missed a 38-yard field goal that would have given Iowa State a 17-14 lead in the second quarter. Tarique Milton fumbled a punt to give Kansas State valuable field position that the Wildcats took advantage of with a touchdown before halftime.

And Landen Akers couldn't haul in a long pass from Brock Purdy, which led to a Kansas State interception. The one bright spot was Harvey's forced fumble that was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Rose to bring Iowa State within three late.

Uwazurike returns

Iowa State’s defense has been getting hit hard with injuries lately. But the group got some help back Saturday with the return of defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike.

Uwazurike had started Iowa State’s first seven games this season but missed the previous three contests with a hamstring injury. His presence on the line had been sorely missed with Iowa State struggling in two of those games. Some of the biggest problems were getting pressure from the front three without Uwazurike playing.

Iowa State still was without D’Andre Payne and Datrone Young, who were both injured.

Trevor Downing is ready to help

The Iowa native got his first taste of playing time. Downing, a freshman offensive lineman from Creston, came into the game in the third quarter and provided an extra blocker during David Montgomery's 11-yard rushing touchdown that tied the game 21-21.